Experts task GTCO, others with more support for autism children

Counsellors, psychologists, and medical experts have urged Nigerians and corporate organisations to do more in their support for people, especially children, living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the country.

The experts and advocates of ASD made this known in Lagos on Wednesday during the 2025 Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) annual Autism Programme themed ‘From awareness to action: 15 years of advancing inclusion’.

The company noted that the Autism Programme is one of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes under its Orange Ribbon Initiative aimed at increasing social awareness of ASD, providing free professional consultations for people with autism, and offering funding for applied autism research, among others.

The Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTCO, Mr Segun Agbaje, stated that the theme of the programme challenges them to deepen their understanding of autism, push for better systems, and ensure that people on the autism spectrum are supported, empowered, and celebrated.

On the theme, Agbaje added, “Have we made a difference? Are we making a difference? This is bigger than we think, but we are taking action, doing something big.”

In the course of the event, the experts spoke and presented papers covering a wide range of issues on the theme. Some issues covered included diagnosis and support for people with autism, using stories to strengthen support of autism, early intervention and behavioural solutions, harnessing solutions through artificial intelligence (AI) for educating autism children, among others.

The experts and advocates ─ from Nigeria, Africa, and across the world ─ comprised professors, scholars, counsellors, psychologists, civil society practitioners, parents, and caregivers. Through panel sessions and interviews, they spoke on how to make life and living better for people on the autism spectrum and for their families. They offered advice and solutions on the best ways to educate, control, and take care of autism children.

Professor Mashudat Bello-Mojeed and Solape Azazi, in different interviews, stressed the need to approve the management of people on the autism spectrum from the angle of love and patience and not control and therapy alone. They added that though people with ASD are different, they are unique and can do wonders if loved and managed well.

Through the panel sections, the panellists urged Nigerians, the government, GTCO, and corporate organisations to increase their support for people with autism through community engagement, financial support, and empowerment programmes that will enable them to blend well with society and take proper charge of their lives.

They urged GTCO to create a special fund and empowerment programme where young people and adults with autism can be trained and supported with funds to start their careers and businesses.

The organisers of the autism programme assured the experts of their commitment to ensuring that autism children and their families lead a meaningful life, adding, “Together, we can build a world where people living with autism and other developmental disorders have all the support and resources they need to thrive.”

According to GTCO, from 17th – 19th July, there will be a one-on-one family consultation on autism in Lagos. It added that from 21st – 24th July, there will be a workshop and one-on-one family consultation at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana.

At the event, the Lagos State First Lady was represented, and the permanent secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health was also represented. People living with ASD and their families were also present.

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